War Games

Here's what I've playing last week and over the weekend:

Advance Wars (Game Boy Advance)

I'm still playing the game that showed me the beauty of turn-based tactics.  So far this level's giving me the most trouble.  I tried pushing back the enemy while capturing factories for sea and air support, but I get overwhelmed by sheer numbers and resources.  Didn't find out until now that I could just switch CO's prior to the level and play to their strengths.  Let's see that robotic octorok (above) blow smoke now . . . !

Fire Emblem: Awakening (Nintendo 3DS)

I was surprised to have just discovered that Intelligent Systems, the studio behind Advance Wars, had also developed the Fire Emblem series.  I've tried the demo to Fire Emblem: Awakening years before but didn't take to the gameplay right away.  I wanted to start with an FE title for the GBA, which captures the look and feel of AW.  But after giving the Awakening demo another try, I picked up the full game.

Though your character is the enigmatic Robin, you also control a group of peacekeepers called Shepherds and protect their kingdom from invaders.

The gameplay is basically the same as Advance Wars, except you can equip your unit with multiple items and weapons.

You can also measure your stats against those of an enemy before you engage.  And once you do . . .

A cutscene shows how it all plays out.

Playing on Normal, the main campaign's been pretty easy so far.  But I'm also playing on Classic Mode, where I learned the hard way that defeated characters are not revived; a staple in the series.  But the 3DS' SpotPass feature, along with DLC, provide more warriors--including those from past FE titles--should my army get stretched too thin.

Battle Arena Toshinden (Game Boy)

Before Soul Calibur, titles like Samurai Shodown and Bushido Blade filled the ranks of weapon-based fighting games.  A longtime fan of 'pocket fighters', I've been eyeing this cart to play on my original Game Boy.  Though it can't compare to the Playstation version, it's a fun little diversion from whatever long line you're stuck in while reading this blog.

A simplified port of the original game, you make due with 2 attack buttons while duking it out with the main roster.

Adding humor to BAT are storylines featuring chibi-styled versions of the fighters.

When your character's "Ring Out" meter runs out, he/she can get knocked off the ring.

Of course, Game Boy games look and work better with on an upgraded handeld or home console via adapters.

That's all for now.  Tune in for the next blog of me trying to make it to the TOP OF THE HEAP.  See you next time!